(Honolulu, Hawaii) March 21, 2018 – This afternoon at Ala Moana Beach Park, Sharon Moriwaki announced her candidacy as a Democrat for Hawaii State Senate District 12 (Waikiki, Ala Moana, Kakaako, Sheridan, McCully, Moiliili). A resident of Kakaako for the past decade, she’s the founding president of Kakaako United, a nonprofit volunteer organization that fights for a better life for area residents and businesses through smart development and accountability.

“As a state senator, I will bring the community together to address problems not being fixed: housing for our residents not offshore investors, keeping kupuna at home as they age, and reducing crime including drug-related and homeless-related crime in our neighborhoods,” Moriwaki said.

Moriwaki recently helped with efforts to protect senior residents of Na Lei Hulu Kupuna, who feared losing their homes after a proposed spike in rent from the development company that owns the Kakaako low income rental building. The issue garnered local media and even Governor David Ige’s attention. At a press conference, Ige promised to rectify the situation and help the seniors.

“I’ve been fighting the Kakaako ‘luxury blight’ for the past five years because Honolulu is in the midst of the greatest housing crisis in the U.S. and our elected officials are failing us,” Moriwaki said. “With Honolulu being one of the least affordable housing markets in the country, it’s no wonder homelessness continues to rise.”

If elected, Moriwaki will bring extensive experience to the office. As the former associate director of the University of Hawaii’s Public Policy Center, she knows how to work and accomplish goals with a diverse group of people. Moriwaki’s history of moving legislation forward as part of a team means that she will waste no time once in the state senate.

Moriwaki was chosen by then-Governor John Waihee to be part of his first cabinet as Labor Department Deputy Director. Four years later, Waihee appointed her as his Director of Human Resources, where she instituted major personnel system reforms. Her subsequent leadership included serving as Hawaii Court System Administrative Director and as UH Assistant Vice President.

“I believe we must do more for the communities from Waikiki to Kakaako,” Moriwaki said. “It’s time for us to start caring for each other, and it’s time for our elected officials to truly represent us.”